"Then I thank you for the trouble. I also wish to admire Hokage Torifu's residence. Please lead the way."
But in the very next second, the group returned to the Kumotsuru Clan compound. The smile on the corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth hadn't even faded yet.
"We have arrived. Feel free to look around. There's nothing to hide, so please make yourself at home."
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood by now that Hokage Torifu's strength was absolutely immense. Repeatedly teleporting multiple people was not something the Flying Thunder God could achieve.
"Understood."
Sarutobi Hiruzen observed the scene within the courtyard. Everything was so inconsistent with the style of Konoha Village. He didn't even know what kind of style this was. No nation in the ninja world seemed to be like this.
Kushina, inside the house, heard the sound and came out with her large belly: "Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, Minato, and Yahiko, are you back?"
Minato immediately stepped forward to support Kushina: "Be careful. Don't get excited. We're back safely."
Kushina's heart finally settled: "That's good, that's good. I was so worried about you." Then, her peripheral vision caught Sarutobi Hiruzen, and she said in surprise: "Huh? When did Hiruzen-senpai arrive? Why didn't he make a sound?"
Minato then explained everything to Kushina—that this Hiruzen was not that Hiruzen.
"What? This is the Hiruzen-senpai from that world?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen also walked over at this point. Looking at Kushina's large belly, he felt a momentary lapse in concentration.
"Kushina, I am the Sarutobi Hiruzen from another world. Although this is our first meeting, 'we' are actually very familiar with each other."
Kushina also nodded: "Yes, I feel the same way." In fact, Kushina knew the familiarity came from the original Hiruzen-senpai, but looking at the Sarutobi Hiruzen in front of her, she couldn't help but connect the two.
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled: "In my world, Kushina has already given birth to a son. I imagine you should also have a bouncing baby boy in your belly."
Kushina said in surprise: "Really? 'I' have already given birth?" Then Kushina grabbed Minato: "Well, how is our son?"
Minato scratched his head: "Actually... the situation was pretty urgent at the time. I didn't pay much attention to the son's matter. Besides, that's not our son."
Kushina didn't differentiate so clearly. The alternate world's Kushina was, of course, herself. Perhaps the experiences were different, but the personality wouldn't change.
"Honestly! You idiot Minato! How could you not even care about what your son looks like!"
Naori then helped Kushina sit down on a chair: "It's only a month away anyway. You'll be able to see your own son then. No need to rush."
Kushina pouted upon hearing this: "Alright. Big Sister-in-law, you're right. I'll be patient." Naori smiled faintly, then returned to Torifu's side.
Minato, meanwhile, was grabbed by Kushina, who made him recount his experiences from the journey. If Kushina weren't pregnant, she would have insisted on going to see her alternate self and exchange stories about the past years.
"How is it? The Kumotsuru Clan compound is quite unique, right?" Torifu asked.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was still admiring his surroundings, nodded: "It is indeed excellent, very secluded yet not lacking in grandeur. The Sarutobi Clan compound cannot compare."
With such words, the Kumotsuru Clan's wealth was something even the entirety of Konoha Village could barely match. A family compound this opulent certainly had to showcase its status. Moreover, this was the architectural style left behind by the ancestors, which was from an alternate world, so to speak.
"You mustn't say that. These are all just architectural styles left by my ancestors. I merely copied them."
Afterward, the two of them chatted about issues concerning clan compound construction, and the time had reached around 1:30 in the afternoon. At this time, people in Konoha Village were beginning to return to work. Going out to visit would not feel presumptuous, as they wouldn't be disturbing the owner's nap.
"Let's go. I will take you to the Senju Clan compound now."
The Senju Clan compound—that was an old term for Sarutobi Hiruzen. He hadn't heard it in over ten or twenty years. Since Uzumaki Mito-sama's passing, the Senju Clan had completely declined. Their compound ceased to exist, and the clan members hid their surnames and integrated into Konoha Village. The once-glorious Senju Clan was now so withered that one couldn't even find a single Senju clan member.
Fortunately, everything still existed in this world. The Senju Clan existed, and Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mito-sama all existed! Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely excited. The great figures had been dead for decades. Even if they were still alive in this world, they must be very old. He wondered if they could understand what cross-world travel and an alternate world were. After all, it had taken him, a sixty-year-old man, a long time to figure it out.
Torifu wrapped Sarutobi Hiruzen in the cloud mist, then flew into the air. He didn't intend to teleport directly to the Senju Clan compound but wanted to show Sarutobi Hiruzen everything along the way.
"Over the years, Konoha Village has had some foreign clans join. The clan compound next to us is one of them."
"They possess illusionary eyes similar to the Sharingan, called the Ketsuryūgan. You might want to pay attention to them in your world; they are in the Land of Lightning's Hell Valley."
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened and bore this firmly in mind.
But then Torifu reminded him again: "Remember, this clan has a blood feud with the Uchiha Clan. If you wish to save them, it's best to resolve the conflict with the Uchiha Clan first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded at this, but then asked: "Is Hokage Torifu implying that you have already resolved the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village?"
Torifu smiled at this: "My wife is an Uchiha clan member, named Uchiha Naori. You should have heard of her."
"She and I are both disciples of Hashirama-sama."
Uchiha Naori—Sarutobi Hiruzen had naturally heard of her. She was an extremely talented female ninja, but sadly, she died young. He hadn't expected her to become a disciple of Hashirama-sama in this world. This truly made Hiruzen a little envious.
Along the way, Hiruzen constantly looked down at the ground. This place was the same as his village, yet different.